The number of agencies and tour operators specializing in travel tours for women have grown significantly in recent years. Here are a few special destinations.
What better way to commemorate Women’s History Month, in March, than by taking a trip for women, led by women? As an another motivation to book such a getaway, International Women’s Day falls on March 8.
The popularity of such trips seem to have increased since the #MeToo movement. Annette Youngbauer, a travel agent from Delafield, Wis., who specializes in women’s group tours around the world, said that her sales of these trips have increased 200 percent since #MeToo. “Whether it’s a Caribbean cruise or hiking in Macchu Picchu, these trips are a lot about bonding and sharing each other’s struggles and passions,” she said.
If that sounds good to you, here are four to consider.
Self-improvement in Hawaii
Kelly Lewis, founder of the travel-guide company Go! Girl Guides and the chief executive of Damesly, a boutique travel company, is leading a trip to Honolulu, her hometown, from May 17 to 23.
The theme of the trip is “finding yourself,” and participants will engage in self-identity work through workshops led by a life coach. Other activities include hula-dance classes, lei-making lessons, surfing, paddle boarding, snorkeling and rainforest hikes with picnic lunches ($2,800 a person, with accommodations, some meals and activities included).
A cultural exchange near Calgary
In Canada, Wild Women Expeditions is offering a cultural retreat, from July 8 to 13, at a ranch near Calgary. The trip will introduce participants to the culture of the Cree, the indigenous people of the area, and is led by Tracey Klettl and Brenda Holder, two sisters with Cree heritage.
Guests stay in canvas tents in the forest, and will be taught traditional Cree beliefs and skills including traditional plant medicine and archery ($1,895 Canadian dollars per person, approximately $1,430 U.S., with accommodations, transfers, meals and activities included).
A polar bear expedition cruise in Norway
Organized by Natural World Safaris, the “Women of the Arctic” expedition cruise will sail in the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard from Aug. 10 to 20. A naturalist named Kate Humble is leading the trip, with other female naturalists are on-hand as guides.
Fluctuart, a three-story, sustainable, floating building with transparent walls and flexible spaces and entirely dedicated to urban art has docked in Paris, and the art world is in thrall.
To be inaugurated in May, France’s first center for street art and graffiti and the world’s first floating museum will open its doors in the heart of Paris , on the banks of the Seine River at the foot of the Pont des Invalides (the Invalides bridge) facing the Grand Palais.
The museum will be “at the same time a place of creation, experimentation and exchange,” according to the center’s website. “Everything about urban art in its most open definition, from street art to contemporary art and with an offer of cultural events, exhibitions (at least three per year), workshops, a library and a rooftop bar with a direct view on the Grand Palais.”
Free and open all year, the floating art center will bring together street artists from all backgrounds, including young newcomers, historical pioneers and world-famous contemporary masters.
The Invalides Bridge where Fluctuart is docked and preparing to open in May.FLUCTUART
French and international artists from the urban scene will have carte blanche to create works in situ in the entirety of Fluctuart spaces, explained Nicolas Laugero Laserre, artistic director, an expert in urban art and one of the founders of the project.
“Paris is the world’s capital for urban art,” he said. “Here, Shepard Fairey performs his biggest works and Banksy is never far either. The number of artists, projects, auctions and specialized galleries in Paris is truly unique. We believe in the idea of art for all. The quest for an art accessible to all is inscribed in the movement’s DNA, with committed artists who are in tune with their times.”
The first traveling exhibition is dedicated to the work of urban artist Swoon.
Several ‘bateaux-mouche’ under the Invalides Bridge. Photo Jacques Demarthon/AFP/Getty ImagesGETTY
Fluctuart, winner of the 2017 “”Réinventer la Seine” (Reinvent the Seine), a call by Paris officials for projects aimed an revitalizing the Seine river, was planned by the architecture firm Seine Design and built in less than two years in Dieppe.
It was designed to correspond to the image of the artists that will be shown there: “creative, open to the world, engaged and in its time,” according to the architect Gerard Ronzatti. “Fluctuart is above all a place in perpetual movement that is both artistic and festive, between discoveries and encounters.”
Fluctuart will offer a permanent collection of urban works by major French and international artists, while regularly hosting temporary exhibitions by prestigious names and occasional artists in residence “so that the place becomes the new, unmissable place of urban art.”
Eiffel Tower, Pont des Invalides and Seine River bank in Paris at night seen from Pont Alexandre III. Photo: Getty ImagesGETTY
Drinks, food, concerts and space for trendy parties surrounded by frescos and art works by the greatest artists are planned for the upper terrace with panoramic views. This rooftop, covered by a marquise, will be open all year, adding a new, festive meeting to the banks of the river.
Fluctuart will also offer a brunch service in the middle of the permanent exhibition and a space for children with workshops and childcare services.
The “Reinvent The Seine” plan is launching 40 projects along the banks of the Seine and its canals and includes Rouen, in Normandy, and Le Havre.
The number of agencies and tour operators specializing in travel tours for women have grown significantly in recent years. Here are a few special destinations.
A trip to South Africa organized by Roar Africa will feature prominent female conservationists and activists working in the region.CreditCreditRoar Africa
What better way to commemorate Women’s History Month, in March, than by taking a trip for women, led by women? As an another motivation to book such a getaway, International Women’s Day falls on March 8.
The popularity of such trips seem to have increased since the #MeToo movement. Annette Youngbauer, a travel agent from Delafield, Wis., who specializes in women’s group tours around the world, said that her sales of these trips have increased 200 percent since #MeToo. “Whether it’s a Caribbean cruise or hiking in Macchu Picchu, these trips are a lot about bonding and sharing each other’s struggles and passions,” she said.
If that sounds good to you, here are four to consider.
Women’s empowerment in South Africa
Deborah Calmeyer, founder of the travel company Roar Africa, has organized a women’s empowerment trip in South Africa from June 11 to 16. Female guides and animal trackers who have broken stereotypes in these traditionally male fields will speak. Conservationists and philanthropists includingChristine Schuler Deschryver, the director ofV-Day Congo, an organization that aims to end violence against women and girls, will also attend.
The itinerary starts in the semidesert region of Karoo where travelers will visit the SA College for Tourism, an institute that trains women from at-risk communities for jobs in the hospitality industry. The bulk of the trip will occur at a lodge in the semiarid savanna of the Kalahari, where guests will have the opportunity to see migratory birds and track black rhinos on foot. There will also be visits to ancient archaeological sites with rock carvings created some 380,000 years ago ($15,600 a person, all-inclusive).
Self-improvement in Hawaii
Kelly Lewis, founder of the travel-guide company Go! Girl Guides and the chief executive of Damesly, a boutique travel company, is leading a trip to Honolulu, her hometown, from May 17 to 23.
The theme of the trip is “finding yourself,” and participants will engage in self-identity work through workshops led by a life coach. Other activities include hula-dance classes, lei-making lessons, surfing, paddle boarding, snorkeling and rainforest hikes with picnic lunches ($2,800 a person, with accommodations, some meals and activities included).
A cultural exchange near Calgary
In Canada, Wild Women Expeditions is offering a cultural retreat, from July 8 to 13, at a ranch near Calgary. The trip will introduce participants to the culture of the Cree, the indigenous people of the area, and is led by Tracey Klettl and Brenda Holder, two sisters with Cree heritage.
Guests stay in canvas tents in the forest, and will be taught traditional Cree beliefs and skills including traditional plant medicine and archery ($1,895 Canadian dollars per person, approximately $1,430 U.S., with accommodations, transfers, meals and activities included).
JOMO, the joy of missing out, can be an expensive pastime
The ‘Girls Night In’ newsletter promotes JOMO.
Los Angeles-based entrepreneur Jillian Wilson, 28, uses her “me time” to shop for mundane household items she doesn’t get around to buying during the busy work week. “I get so much satisfaction from staying in, listening to music, enjoying glass of wine, and just spending time with me,” she said.
That doesn’t always come cheap. A recent iteration of her own Girls Night In included spending $40 on wine, browsing Amazon.com, AMZN where she racked up a $100 bill on wine stoppers, chip clips and a space heater. She spent $100 on new shoes at Revolve.com.
Companies are now eyeing the “girls night in” market. “Girls Night In,” an online newsletter withmore than 100,000 subscribers that caters to millennial women ages 25 to 34, has found a sweet spot in the saturated self-care space.
The editorial platform offers readers — who would rather watch Netflix NFLX than hit up a rowdy bar or club — advice for things to do at home. Those pricey hobbies range from cooking and baking to reading and expensive beauty regimes.
It’s a way to make people pay for JOMO, the joy of missing out, not to be confused with the opposite, anxiety-inducing acronym FOMO, the fear of missing out, which can be made worse by scrolling through your Instagram FB feed.
Girls Night In founder Alisha Ramos. (Courtesy of GNI/Alisha Ramos).
Girls Night In relies heavily on brand partnerships with advertisers like Netflix, custom furniture company Burrow and fashion brand Everlane. The self-care industry alone in the U.S. is worth approximately $11 billion. And the wellness market grew 6.4% from $3.72 billion in 2015 to $4.22 billion in 2017, according to the most recent statistics from the Global Wellness Institute.
Girls Night In founder Alisha Ramos shared her own suggestions for a lavish Girls Night In: A scented candle ($38), toner ($6.59), clay mask ($12), face wash ($9), Netflix ($15.99), a recipe for shrimp stir-fry a la Bon Appétit magazine ($16), wine ($34), Saint Germain ($33) and Prosecco ($10). Total: Just shy of $175.
Although staying in on a Saturday night may seem cheaper than going out, businesses like Girls Night In, which arrives in subscribers’ inboxes every Friday, have found a way to get consumers to shell out in the name of laying low.
Take luxury candle subscription box service Wickbox ($26.95 a month), which delivers a high-end candle tailored to a subscriber’s specific scent preferences. MiniBar, an app that delivers wine, liquor or beer in 30 minutes, makes it easy for those looking to imbibe in their pajamas, or host a dinner party at home.
Hygge Box (starting at $25 a month), another subscription company, capitalizes on the Danish and Norwegian word for coziness and comfort while promoting wellness through monthly boxes filled with items like organic teas and cocoa, cookies, bath accessories and home decor.
The trend of staying at home isn’t just for ladies’ nights. Companies like BirchboxMan (starting at $20 per month), a grooming kit that ships men’s skin-care products, promotes similar self-care rituals. Loot Crate (starting at $14.99) sends subscribers new video games and related merchandise like T-shirts and collectibles.
The “Girls Night In” newsletter recommends products that the company’s staffers have tried themselves and it receives a commission for any items that are purchased through affiliate links.
Founder Alisha Ramos, 29, told MarketWatch that she wanted to not feel guilty about staying home on a weekend. “Yes, you do save money, but for me, as an introvert, it’s a great way to nurture my relationships with friends rather than being in a loud club atmosphere,” she said.
The D.C.-based platform launched in February 2017, Ramos said, with a few hundred subscribers and a simple mission: Helping women navigate how to take care of themselves without spending a ton of money between work and personal obligations.
They’ve since grown their Instagram account to more than 63,000 followers. Last week, Girls Night In announced it raised $500,000 from SV Angel, Third Kind Capital, and Combine VC.
GNI plans to use the new funding to host live events — arguably a strategically delicate task given that the company is focused on celebrating (and selling products to) women who want to stay home. The money will allow the company to build out the newsletter’s “holistic wellness category” to include mental health content, Ramos said.
The newsletter typically includes an interview with a high profile author, entrepreneur, activist or celebrity. Previous interviewees include Celeste Ng, author of “Little Fires Everywhere,” and Sophia Amoruso, founder of fashion retailer Nasty Gal UK:BOO
Similar to Gwyneth Paltrow’s GOOP website, the weekly online newsletter also promotes eccentric trends, like “cacti are the new succulents,” plus tips on how to get more organized, skin-care routines, binge-worthy series to stream and cooking hacks.
Some 39% of adults in the U.S. reporting they feel more anxious than they did a year ago, according to the American Psychiatric Association. Mental health experts and fitness instructors recommend yoga, free meditation and even sleep apps to help create more work-life balance.
A new report from Airbnb says that Los Angeles is the top place U.S. women are traveling right now.GETTY
Solo travel is on the rise — especially among female travelers. An estimated 32 million American women travel alone every year, according to the Travel Industry Association. And a new Global Solo Travel Study conducted by British Airways reports that almost 50% of women around the world have taken a vacation by themselves, while 75% are planning a solo trip in the next few years. So where are women going? In honor of International Women’s Day, Airbnb has released its first-ever report on the top places women are traveling right now. This 2019 report was shared exclusively with the Transformative Travel column on Forbes.com.
Solo travel is continuing to grow in popularity, with research that shows more women are prone to travel alone over men and are more apt to try new things and veer off the beaten path when they get to where they’re going,” says Ali Killam, Consumer Trends Spokesperson at Airbnb.
Airbnb broke the report into two lists: the top 20 places its female guests from the U.S. are traveling and the top 20 places women from around the world are going. The lists were based on bookings by travelers across Airbnb platforms, from Homes to Experiences.
According to Airbnb, Los Angeles is popular due to its range of experiences. Here, a solo traveler is pictured enjoying Santa Monica beach.GETTY
When it comes to destinations for U.S. women, Los Angeles ranks number one. “Los Angeles has been a popular market throughout the years for travelers, especially for those booking with Airbnb,” says Killam, who attributes the city’s popularity to its range of experiences and accommodations in places like the seaside enclave of Venice and the iconic Hollywood Hills. In 2018, Airbnb Experiences also expanded significantly throughout California, offering handcrafted activities led by local experts. “Experiences is creating new economic opportunities for California residents by allowing them to unlock their talents and interests and make money from them,” says Killam.
Paris is at the top of the list for global travelers and second in popularity with U.S. travelers. “Paris is one of those cities that’s on most people’s bucket list or one that people can go to time and time again and never get bored,” says Killam. What has people buzzing about the destination this year, according to Killam: “The FIFA Women’s World Cup kicks off in France and Paris will be one of the host cities. Plus the Palais Galliera, the Fashion Museum of the City of Paris, will become the first permanent fashion museum in France in 2019 thanks to the support of the House of Chanel.”
Paris is the top place for solo female travelers from around the world and the second highest rated destination for U.S. women.GETTY
In addition to the data on where women are traveling, Airbnb found that solo female travelers are booking twice as many Airbnb Experiences over solo male travelers year over year, as a way to meet locals and fellow travelers, learn new skills, enjoy a meal and partake in unique cultural experiences. “Looking at bookings by solo female travelers, we found that women flying solo are more drawn to modern history and mindful movement with activities like shopping with a fashion anthropologist, learning how to box with a world champion or weaving a tapestry with mindful zen arts,” says Killam.
Paris is the top place for solo female travelers from around the world and the second highest rated destination for U.S. women.GETTY
Coincidentally, Airbnb hosting is also more popular among women — and growing. In the U.S., 55.87% of accommodations are run by women hosts — a growth of 12.40% year over year. Globally, women also represent the majority of hosts in places like Australia (61.33%), Europe (53.8%), Latin America (51.89%) and Asia (50.51%). And the numbers of women hosts are growing globally, too: up 33.32% in Asia, up 27.61% in Latin America, up 24.55% in Australia and up 12.16% in Europe.
“What the trends say about women right now is that we are not waiting on anyone to chase our dreams,” says Jessica Nabongo, a writer, entrepreneur and globetrotter who collaborates with Airbnb on a variety of projects and is on a mission to become the first black woman to visit every country in the world.
Read on for the lists of where women are going right now.
Snapping a photo in Los Angeles, the top location for U.S. women travelers.GETTY
Top Destinations for Women from the U.S.
Los Angeles
Nashville, Tennessee
New Orleans, Louisiana
San Diego, California
Austin, Texas
New York City
Paris, France
Seattle, Washington
Chicago, Illinois
Portland, Oregon
Brooklyn, New York
Las Vegas, Nevada
Denver, Colorado
Rome, Italy
Kissimmee, Florida
Washington, D.C.
Atlanta, Georgia
London, England
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Boston, Massachusetts
In Paris — the top travel destination for women around the globe.GETTY
Around The World Travel 